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The Diamond Jubilee 1952 – 2012

To mark 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, special Diamond Jubilee celebrations will take place over a ‘four day’ weekend between Saturday 2 June and Tuesday 5 June 2012.

A Diamond Jubilee has only ever been celebrated in the UK once before – Queen Victoria, who reigned for more than 60 years, celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne on 6 February 1952, and The Coronation took place on 2 June 1953.

Watch this space for further details about The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the many activities and events due to take place!

Queen Elizabeth II

Key Facts About Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen was born on 21 April 1926 in London.

The Queen’s grandfather, King George V, died in 1936 – within less than a year his heir, King Edward VIII, had abdicated and Elizabeth’s father was crowned King George VI.

Princess Elizabeth married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, now The Duke of Edinburgh, on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey, London.

Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne on 6 February 1952, following the death of her father King George VI.

The Queen’s Coronation took place on 2 June 1953 at Westminster Abbey, London.

The Queen celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1977.

The Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2002.

The Queen celebrated her 80th birthday in April 2006.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in November 2007.

The Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

The Queen’s Birthdays

The Queen celebrates two birthdays each year – her private birthday and an official birthday.

The Queen’s Private Birthday

Queen Elizabeth was born on 21 April 1926. The Queen usually spends her birthday privately however the occasion is marked publicly by gun salutes in central London in Hyde Park, at the Windsor Great Park and at the Tower of London.

The Queen’s Official Birthday

The Queen’s official birthday is held on a Saturday in early June. To celebrate a spectacular Trooping the Colour parade is always held, which travels between Buckingham Palace, The Mall and Horseguards’ Parade. Queen’s Birthday celebrations also take place in several Commonwealth countries.

An official birthday for the British Sovereign has been held in the summer months since 1805 – the occasion allows the general public the opportunity to celebrate in warmer weather.

The Queen’s Jubilees

The Queen’s Silver Jubilee 1977

In 1977, to mark 25 years of The Queen’s reign, Silver Jubilee celebrations were held throughout the country and Commonwealth.

During the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, church services were held to commemorate The Queen’s ascension to the throne in February 1952 and to mark the beginning of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year. Official Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations were held during the summer of 1977.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh made a tour of the country and various parts of the world to mark the Queen’s Jubilee. In just three months The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh made six tours across the UK and visited 36 counties, and traveled an estimated 56,000 miles around the world.

On Monday 6 June 1977 The Queen lit a national beacon at Windsor, the first of many Silver Jubilee beacons to be lit around the nation. On Tuesday 7 June 1977 a service of Thanksgiving was held at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and The Queen traveled in a Gold State Coach. It is estimated that 500 million people watched the Queen’s Silver Jubilee procession on television. Queen’s Jubilee street party events were held all over the country – and in London alone 4,000 street party events were estimated to have taken place.

The Queen’s Golden Jubilee 2002

In 2002 the nation celebrated 50-years of The Queen’s reign in a wonderful Golden Jubilee year.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh made a Golden Jubilee UK and world tour. During 2002 The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited 70 cities and towns throughout the UK and travelled more than 30,000 miles around the world. The Golden Jubilee tour began with a visit to Jamaica in February 2002 and ended with a tour of Canada in October 2002.

Celebrations during 2002 included a spectacular Queen’s Golden Jubilee fireworks display and the largest ever chain of Queen’s Jubilee beacons to ever have been lit on Monday 3 June 2002. The most northerly beacon to be lit was in the Arctic, 300 miles from the North Pole, and the most southerly beacon was in Antarctica, 1,000 miles from the South Pole.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012

This year, 2012, The Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee. Only one other British Monarch in history, Queen Victoria, has reigned for 60 years or more. It is a very rare and special occasion for the British nation and the Commonwealth.

Our website intends to provide you with a wealth of information about The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. We are always keen to hear from you with your comments, Royal memories and any details you would like to share about events you are holding to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – if you would like to get in touch please email info@2012queensdiamondjubilee.com

Events

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Programme of Events and Central Weekend

Official celebrations for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will take place over a central weekend between Saturday 2 June and Tuesday 5 June 2012.

Saturday 2 June

The Queen will attend the Epsom Derby – an avid racing fan, The Queen has been attending the Epsom Derby for eight decades.

Sunday 3 June

The Big Jubilee Lunch – people will be encouraged to share lunch with neighbours and friends as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant – up to 1,000 boats, assembled from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world, will sail down the Thames. The Queen will lead the flotilla in the Royal Barge.

Monday 4 June

A BBC Concert at Buckingham Palace – a televised Diamond Jubilee Concert held at Buckingham Palace, with tickets available to UK residents by public ballot.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons – 2,012 beacons will be lit by communities and individuals throughout the United Kingdom, as well as the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Commonwealth.

Tuesday 5 June

A Service of Thanksgiving and Carriage Procession – the service will take place at St Paul’s Cathedral, with a formal carriage procession by The Queen.

More Diamond Jubilee Events

Many other Diamond Jubilee tribute events are being planned to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. If you have an event you would like to tell us about please keep us informed by submitting you details here.

Cook for the Queen – a cooking competition launched by The Duchess of Cornwall to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in partnership with the Diamond Jubilee British Food Fortnight. Open to school children between the ages of 10 and 15 from primary and secondary schools across the UK – click here for more details.

The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant

Sunday 3 June 2012 AFTERNOON

In a fantastic Pageant, of which The Prince of Wales is the Patron, a flotilla of 1,000 boats to mark The Queen’s 60-year reign will travel down the River Thames on Sunday 3 June 2012.

The Pageant will travel from Putney, in the South West London Borough of Wandsworth to Tower Bridge. The full route, including the mustering and dispersal areas, will stretch from Hammersmith to Greenwich Royal Naval College.

Comprising of a myriad of vessels, unique ‘Music Herald Barges’ and an estimated 20,000 participants, the Pageant promises to be spectacular event and is expected to attract an audience of millions worldwide.

Participate in the Pageant

Over 3,000 boats were registered for participation in The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant – however the selection process closed at the end of 2011 - 1,000 boats have been selected to participate in the Pageant.

You will be able to view the procession from along the riverbanks as well as on strategically located outdoor big screens. The Pageant will also be broadcast on live television.

Watch this space for details of live broadcasts and big screen locations.

A limited number of tickets are available to the public for passenger boats taking part in the Pageant – a list of the operators of Thames passenger boats on The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant website.

Battersea Park Jubilee Festival

A Jubilee Festival is being held on Sunday 3 June in Battersea Park to coincide with The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. Visitors will be able to watch the flotilla from the park’s Thameside location. The festival is being curated by Hemingway Design and Clare Patey. Entertainment will commence at mid-day and continue until 7pm. It will provide a day-long programme of music and Jubilee-themed entertainment for all the family.

The Sequence of the Flotilla

The flotilla will be divided into ten sections divided by music barges.

Section One: Will be heralded by The Royal Jubilee Bells – a floating bell tower – and led by Gloriana – a handbuilt, 88ft rowbarge – the section will include paddle boats, rowing boats, Dragon boats, Waterman cutters and kayaks. Members of the Ancient Society of College Youths will ring ‘a quarter peal with churches along the route providing an answering peal’.

Section Two: Will comprise of boats carrying the flags of the Commonwealth nations, Territories and Dependencies, and a music barge with an orchestra of 22 musicians from the Academy of Ancient Music.

Section Three: A dedicated ‘Royal’ section will the Pageant’s flagship, the Royal Barge – The Spirit of Chartwell – carrying The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by numerous support vessels from the Royal Yacht Britannia as well as the Guard of Honour. Six trumpeters from The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines will perform a fanfare to herald The Queen as the Royal Barge passes each bridge.

Section Four: A flotilla of ‘Dunkirk Little Ships’ accompanied by a music barge with musicians from The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth.

Section Five: A flotilla of historic vessels accompanied by a music barge featuring the ‘world premiere’ of The Jubilant Commonwealth Choir, and a new song with lyrics by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and music by Orlando Gough.

Section Six: A flotilla of working boats including steam boats and tugs accompanied by a music barge playing a mix of traditional Indian melodies, Scottish tunes and Bollywood anthems by the Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band and Shree Muktajeevan Dhol Ensemble.

Section Seven: A flotilla of leisure vessels, accompanied by a music barge featuring the ‘world premiere’ of a new movement ‘New Water Music for the Diamond Jubilee’ created by British film composers.

Section Eight: A flotilla of narrow boats and Dutch barges, accompanied by a music barge featuring the ‘world premiere’ of The Mayor’s Junior Jubilee Brass Band created for the Pageant by The Lord Mayor of London’s Fund for Young Musicians.

Section Nine: Passenger vessels with a limited number of tickets available to the public via operators of Thames passenger boats. Details of music barge to be announced.

Section Ten: Passenger vessels with a limited number of tickets available to the public

Cook for the Queen

“Design a menu fit for The Queen that celebrates the food produced in your part of the country.” Love British Food

A cooking competition launched by The Duchess of Cornwall to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in partnership with the Diamond Jubilee British Food Fortnight.

Open to school children between the ages of 10 and 15 from primary and secondary schools across the UK.

Four winning schools will be asked to take their menus to Buckingham Palace, where Royal Chefs will prepare the food, to be served by pupils from the winning schools, at a special Diamond Jubilee reception in June 2012.

The menu must be ‘fit for The Queen’ and must celebrate food from the region where the school is located.

Menus should include a mix of sweet and savoury dishes which are easy to produce as canapés.

Only one entry per school will be permitted.

Closing date for entries is Monday 30 April 2012.

Winning entries will be announced in May 2012.

2012 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Website will be closely following the ‘Cook for the Queen’ competition – watch this space for further details about the Reception and any new Royal dishes on the menu!

To keep informed about the latest news and products register your interest here.

For further details about competition rules and to download your entry form please visit www.lovebritishfood.co.uk

Image: The Duchess of Cornwall cuts a cake to launch the British Food Fortnight’s Cook for the Queen Diamond Jubilee competition. Nova Hreod College in Swindon, 25 January 2012. Photo credit: Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Early Years

The Queen was born on 21 April 1926 in Mayfair, London.

Christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, she was the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, Prince Albert and Elizabeth, who would later become King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

Princess Elizabeth was born third in line of succession to the throne after Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), and her father, The Duke of York – it was not expected that she would one day become Queen.

In 1930, Princess Elizabeth’s sister was born, Princess Margaret Rose. The two sisters were educated at home under the supervision of their mother, and enjoyed a relatively peaceful and happy childhood.

Whilst Elizabeth was still a young girl, she unexpectedly became first in line to the throne … the ‘heiress presumptive’ … and public interest in her life began to grow.

Main Image: Princess Elizabeth, aged exactly one year. The picture was made as the baby princess was taken for a ride in the grounds of Windsor Castle, she is seen with her cousin, the honourable Gerald Lascelles (son of Princess Royal). (AP-Photo) April 1927.

Education & Youth

Princess Elizabeth was educated at home with Princess Margaret, her younger sister.

From an early age Elizabeth enjoyed art, music, horse-riding and swimming.

When her father succeeded to the throne in 1936, Princess Elizabeth became heir presumptive. In preparation for her future role as Queen, she was taught constitutional history, law and French.

When she was eleven Elizabeth enrolled as a Girl Guide and became a Sea Ranger.

During the war years the two Princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, were evacuated to live at Windsor Castle.

Marriage & Family

Princess Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten, Prince of Greece and Denmark, today the Duke of Edinburgh, on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey, London.

Still in the aftermath of the Second World War, the wedding ceremony was relatively modest. Princess Elizabeth collected clothing coupons for her wedding dress. The royal couple spent their honeymoon at Broadlands, Hampshire, the home of Lord Mountbatten, and at Birkhall, Balmoral.

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh have four children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh’s first child, Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, was born in November 1948. Charles has two sons, Prince William of Wales, now the Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry of Wales.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh’s second child Princess Anne, The Princess Royal was born in 1950. Princess Anne she has two children, Peter and Zara Philips, and one grandchild, Miss Savannah Phillips.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh’s third child, Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, was born in 1960. Prince Andrew has two daughters Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh’s fourth child, Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex, was born in 1964. Prince Edward has two children The Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn.

Main Image: Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive by horse drawn carriage in the parade ring on the third day, traditionally known as Ladies Day, of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting at Ascot on 16 June 2011. Ascot is celebrating its 300 years of horse racing at the Royal Racecourse. The first race ran in August 1711 with a prize of some 100 guineas. Photo: AP/Alastair Grant)

Accession & Coronation

Accession

Princess Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, died on 6 February 1952 at the age of 56.

Princess Elizabeth was only 25 years old at the time of her father’s death. The Princess was on tour in Kenya when she heard the news of her father’s death. She returned to England in mourning, awaiting accession to the throne.

Although Elizabeth was proclaimed Queen immediately on her father’s death, it would be more than a year before The Queen’s Coronation took place in June 1953.

Coronation

Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on 2 June 1953 in a solemn ceremony at Westminster Abbey, London.

The Coronation of Elizabeth II was conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Geoffrey Fisher.

The ceremony was attended by an estimated 8,000 guests, including Prime Ministers from Commonwealth countries and Head of States.

The event was, for the first time in history, broadcast on television. It was the largest public broadcast ever to have occurred of a British event and, is thought to have been watch by millions around the world.

The Role of the Sovereign

The British Sovereign is both Head of State and Head of the Nation.

Head of State

As Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II is responsible for constitutional acts, including the opening of Parliament, the approval of Orders in Council, signing of Acts of Parliament and weekly meetings with the Prime Minister.

The Queen represents Britain on overseas State visits as well as receiving foreign ambassadors, high commissioners and visiting Heads of State.

Head of the Nation

As Head of the Nation, Queen Elizabeth II represents the national identity, unity and pride of Britain.

A main responsibility of The Queen is to bestow honours and awards on those who have made outstanding contributions to the country.

The Queen’s Birthday Honours List is announced at the time of the Queen’s official birthday in June when people from all walks of life are honoured for their outstanding achievement and service to society.

One of The Queen’s most active roles is to meet with people from every walk of life and from all parts of the nation. The Queen holds an annual garden party at Buckingham Palace for guests from across the nation.

The Commonwealth

Queen Elizabeth II is Head of the Commonwealth and Head of State of 15 Commonwealth Countries.

The Queen and the Commonwealth

The Commonwealth was established over 60 years ago and today comprises of over 50 countries, many of which were at one time under British rule.

A British Sovereign – King George VI, Elizabeth’s father – was first appointed Head of the Commonwealth in 1949.

On the death of her father in 1952, Queen Elizabeth II was appointed Head of the Commonwealth.

Every year The Queen is responsible for making a Commonwealth Day address, which is broadcast around the world.

Recent Commonwealth Events

In 2009, the Commonwealth celebrated 60 years and in a speech to mark the occasion, Queen Elizabeth II observed:

“We can rightly celebrate the fact that the founding members’ vision of the future has become a reality. The Commonwealth has evolved out of all recognition from its beginning. It has helped give birth to modern nations, and the eight original countries have become fifty-three. We are now home to nearly two billion people, a third of the world’s population. Across continents and oceans, we have come to represent all the rich diversity of humankind.”

The Commonwealth Games were last held in October 201o in New Delhi, India – the event is an opportunity for young people from all over the world to come together in friendly competition.

In October 2011 the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was held in Perth, Western Australia. The Queen attended the proceedings.

Main Image: Monday 14 March 2011, Queen Elizabeth II sits at a desk with microphones in Buckingham Palace in central London, after recording her Commonwealth Day address that is broadcast across the world. Photo: John Stillwell/PA Wire

Service of Thanksgiving

A Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral on Tuesday 5 June 2012.

A special Prayer to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee has been prepared by the Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral, to honour The Queen. The Prayer, which has been written at The Queen’s direction, will be read at the Service. The Prayer is welcome for use by churches throughout the land. The Prayer is published on St Paul’s website www.stpauls.co.uk.